Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin Summary
Overview of Real Self-Care
Forget bubble baths and crystals - Dr. Lakshmin's NPR Best Book of 2023 dismantles commercialized wellness culture with revolutionary precision. Martha Beck calls it "clear-eyed" while Eve Rodsky deems it a "revelation." Ready to discover why real self-care means reclaiming your power?
Similar books to Real Self-Care
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
Beyond Bath Bombs: The Revolution of Real Self-Care
What if the solution to your exhaustion isn't another meditation app or wellness retreat? In "Real Self-Care," psychiatrist Pooja Lakshmin exposes how the $4.5 trillion wellness industry has transformed self-care into yet another burden for overwhelmed women. Drawing from her unique journey-from Harvard-educated physician to wellness commune participant to mental health advocate-Lakshmin reveals why bubble baths and green smoothies fail to address the systemic issues crushing women. When mothers like Erin begin their days at 5 a.m. and end with midnight work sessions, suggesting "just meditate" isn't just inadequate-it's insulting. Self-care wasn't always commodified; it began as a radical act of self-preservation among marginalized communities. The Black Panthers promoted it as resistance against systemic racism, and Audre Lorde famously called caring for herself "an act of political warfare." How did we go from revolution to retail therapy? And why do women-experiencing nearly double the anxiety rates of men-keep buying into a system that clearly isn't working?
The Seductive Traps of Modern Wellness
The Game Is Rigged: Burnout as Betrayal
The Four Principles of Real Self-Care
Boundaries: The Foundation of Everything
Self-Compassion: The Voice That Guides You
From Self-Care to Community Care: The Revolution Begins
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Real Self-Care Summary in 9 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Real Self-Care into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Real Self-Care in a Nutshell
Distill Real Self-Care into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Real Self-Care Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories
Experience Real Self-Care through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Real Self-Care Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the Real Self-Care summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.